OK, does anyone know how to remove the sail panels without FUBARing them?
I'm talking about the trim piece between the fron and rear windows that is stainless steel on the '79-'81 cars and black plastic on the '82 & '83 cars.

I have decided that the only way to paint them black and have it stick is to take them off the car first... I just can't figure out how to get them off.

Rod.

 

Yeah you know the 1/4 trim panel, that your seatbelt is under? You take off the vertical door trim, and pull out the 1/4 trim panel, just kind of pull it out a little, and there will be a 10mm nut, I believe. Maybe one more can't quite remember, and take those off. And after that they should come off fairly easily. I know I did them, because my '82 didn't have any when I got him. So I got a pair pretty quickly on e-bay. And put them on, pretty simplistic, and not really hard to do.

Now supposedly, you can take them off the body without removing the nuts. But I wouldn't want to suggest it, and have you fubarring them up. So the best way, would be to remove the nuts holding them on, in the inside. Hope this helps, and let me know, if you want more explained. And I will try and detail it better. Good luck to you man.

 

Thanks WildmaN, sounds easy enuogh. I've had that trim out of the car so many times I could probably do it in my sleep.

Rod.

 

It is man, not much to it really. And as always I like helping out fellow Z'ers, if I have the knowledge, and or have done it myself. And experienced it first hand. Keep us up on the process, just to know it worked out for you.

 

there is actually and access hole in the panel so you dont have to take it off, just pull the little plug and bam there is the nut, just dont drop it, cause then you gotta take the panel off, also there are 4 little clips on the back of the panel that hold and postion it, be gentle, just dont pull, it will snap them all!!

 

I've never been able to remove these pillar panels without breaking the plastic pegs. So I just said screw it and ground away the remainder of the pegs. The panel is mainly held on by the bolt/nut anyways, so all those plastic pegs are for is to make sure it's lined up straight.

 

Man I didn't even think of that, good call dude. It just has been a while since I have messed with them. Thanks for helping him out a little better than me. And now I will remember that the next time, I mess with those trim panels.

 

ya, I snapped the little pegs when I removed mine. 2+2 trim is installed the same way. I bought replacements off eBay, and guess what... those were snapped too. Oh well

 

bleach how and were did u buy your wheelz ? i really like the nice look !

 

Where: Discount Tire Co. / America's Tire Co.
How: money... lots of it

45mm 4 > 5 lug adaptors: TechnoToyTuning.com (or do a 5-lug swap first)

Wheels are MB Design EXE II 5x114.3 +38 18x8